Creative Way to Say, 'No' to Equality

On Wednesday Federal District Judge Richard Young ruled that Indiana's ban on legal recognition of long-term, same-gender couples was unconstitutional. Within hours couples were lining up across the Cornfield to obtain a license and obtain legal recognition.

My life-partner of nearly 10 years, Iohn, and I decided Thursday to take advantage of the change in status to seek legal recognition of our relationship on Saturday. To begin the process we knew we had to obtain a license within our home county of Sullivan.

This morning Iohn called the Clerk of Court's office to insure the county was complying with the judge's ruling. The person in the Clerk's office on the other end of the line told Iohn that the county would issue a license to a same-gender couple, BUT the county did not have the "right paperwork" to do so.

To Iohn and I this appears as nothing more than a creative, backhanded way of saying, "No" to legal recognition of our same-gender relationship without having to say, "No."

Other counties, including bordering Vigo and Knox counties have issued licenses. The Daviess County Clerk is refusing on "biblical principles" without a judge specifically ordering her to issue licenses to same-gender couples.

Well-known social conservative Indiana Governor Mike Pence stated that while Indiana will be appealing the ruling, meantime unless there is a stay of the order, the state would comply with the judge's order which now allows legal recognition of same-gender couples. Attorney General Greg Zoeller is seeking a stay of the ruling and is in the process of appealing the judge's decision.

To me, I would rather the county stand up and just say, "No, we will not without a direct court order issue a license to our same-gender residents." That would be better than this backhanded denial of equality.

I did go to the IN.gov web site hoping I could start the process online and bypass Sullivan County not having the "right paperwork". But wouldn't you know it, Sullivan County does not participate in the state e-file program.

From the Cornfield, guess Iohn and I will have to wait a little longer to be treated as equal citizens in our part of the Cornfield.

By the way, for those wondering why we don't get a license in another county, you must file in your home county.

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